Voice for Equality: NYS Senator, Pedro Espada, Jr.

December 08, 2009

Pedro Espada Jr. is a member of the New York Senate for the 33rd Senate District. He is also currently the Vice President Pro Tempore for Urban Policy of the Senate. He was at the center of the June 2009 change in power in the New York Senate, one of two Democratic senators who voted to appoint Republican Dean Skelos as Majority Leader; Espada himself was chosen to be Temporary President. After his return to the Democratic caucus on July 9, 2009, Espada was chosen Majority Leader of the New York State Senate. Learn more here.

On December 2, 2009, Senator Espada was one of twenty-four senators who voted in favor of the Marriage Equality Bill on the Floor of the NYS Senate Chamber, and he was one of several senators who spoke personally and powerfully in support of the freedom to marry during the pre-vote debate. His statement that he was voting yes for the freedom to marry despite the fact that the issue did not enjoy majority support in his district, was an important one for other senators to hear. He said that it was his conscience, not re-election or popularity concerns, that compelled him to support civil rights, including marriage equality. See video of his speech below:

Freedom to Marry salutes Pedro Espada, Jr. as a Voice for Equality! Learn about other Voices for Equality here.

If Senator Espada's support inspires you, get involved. Support the urgent marriage equality effort in New Jersey here.

Freedom to Marry was the campaign to win marriage nationwide. With the Supreme Court victory on June 26, 2015, the work of this strategic campaign – though not the larger movement – was achieved, and Freedom to Marry wound down its operations, closing in early 2016. For inquiries, please email legacy@freedomtomarry.org.